FebFest "Meltdown" is Feb. 9-16

By Holly Foster Posted February 8, 2013

In keeping with this winter’s weather pattern of snow /no snow, the 2013 FebFest theme is “Meltdown.” The annual winter tradition will take place Feb. 9-16 with events that include CAB Acoustic Coffeehouse featuring Josh Ritter, CAB Comedy with Michael Ian Black, the 20th annual Chili Cookoff, and the Mr. Hamilton contest. Some FebFest highlights follow.

Among Sunday’s events are a Rocky Horror screening in the Red Pit at 5 p.m. and a Grammy viewing party at 8 p.m. in Sadove Living Room.

The Mr. Hamilton pageant and crowning will take place on Monday, Feb. 11, in the Annex beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday’s highlights include CAB Acoustic Coffee House with Josh Ritter at 8 p.m. in the Fillius Events Barn and a figure skating show in Sage Rink at 9 p.m.

FebFest will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a beer tasting in The Little Pub at 5 p.m. A performance of the Vagina Monologues will begin at 6 p.m. in the Fillius Events Barn. An IMF concert featuring Jeff Mangum is at 8 p.m. in the Chapel.

Friday’s events include fireworks at Royce Field at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Late Night dinner party Snowball at the Fillius Events Barn at 9 p.m.
The 20th annual Chili Cookoff will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Little Pub. Email lmagnare@hamilton.edu to participate.

Hamilton’s first winter carnival was held in 1938, with events such as a hockey game, dance parties, crowning of the carnival queen and a figure skating exhibition by James and Grace Madden of the U.S. Olympic Team. The tradition continued with similar events until the mid-’50s, when it lost popularity. The winter carnival returned to the Hill in 2000 through the efforts of students and Student Activities staff.